Today we thought we’d show you the process behind each page that gets posted. It is a lot of work, and requires a great deal of coordination from everyone on the team. I’ll show you the process that went in to making page 13.
Step 1: The Original Story
The first thing that happens is I (Dan) create a discussion on our project management website, Basecamp. I then post up the pertinent text from the original story I wrote.
As Jane complied, Tenzin caught a glimpse of a figure ducking out of view behind the hydroponics bay. “Did you catch that, Jane?”
“Yes. I’m analyzing it now. I only caught 1.3 seconds of video, but it appeared to be one of the villagers, based on height and the white wool burnoose.”
Tenzin’s men stood around him, patiently waiting as he conversed with his AI, no longer disconcerted by their captain apparently talking to thin air.
“Jane, can you extrapolate the direction the villager went? We need to find out what’s going on.” The deserted town was too silent. It didn’t feel right. It was almost as if something was watching them.
Jane laughed. “A little jumpy aren’t we, Tenzin?” Before he could respond to her sarcasm, she continued. “He was headed in the direction of the bunker.”
Tenzin nodded and started walking again, his squad following him without comment.
I also add up any thoughts and guidance I have for the artist. Seba, in this case.
So on this page, I’d like to see Jane and Tenzin talking, which might require either looking out of Tenzin’s eyes and seeing Jane on the HUD, or just her voice being in italics or something to show that it is over the radio, or looking at Tenzin’s helmet and seeing the image of Jane from behind. Something like that.
I’ll also want to see the map and extrapolation that Jane does. We should also see some of the soldiers kind of standing around. Some of them look bored, waiting for Tenzin to start moving again, while others should look confused about him talking to thin air, because they don’t get the whole AI Jane thing.
Step 2: Initial Sketch
The artist then takes what I wrote, asking any questions or sharing any ideas that he has, before posting up his initial sketch.
As you can see, Seba puts a lot of work and thought into these initial sketches, really turning my original text into a comic. He’s awesome (and so is Matias, but you can’t see his pages yet).
Check back tomorrow for part 2 - Inks and Colors.